West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result

Get WSR FREE in your inbox

Search the site

No Result
View All Result

Get WSR FREE in your inbox

AVAILABLE NOW!


HERE

ZABAR’S LAST JEWISH LOX-SLICER APPRECIATES SALMON’S SENSUAL SIDE

December 29, 2014 | 10:28 AM
in FOOD, NEWS
16

Screen Shot 2014-12-29 at 10.26.05 AMLen Berk, an 84-year-old certified public accountant, fell in love with lox-slicing late in life and is now the last Jewish lox-slicer working at Zabar’s. He’s also a kind of Zen poet of lox.

The Forward interviewed Berk and made a charming video of him, which we’ve posted below.

“I’ve been trying to make the perfect slice for about 16 years but I know I haven’t achieved it yet,” he says.

At times, his relationship with the salmon becomes a tad…inappropriate.

“I love running my hands across it. It’s a very sensual experience. You could say I’m making love to the salmon.”

He’s there every Thursday and Friday if you want to watch him “make love” to a salmon, and then you can take it home and eat it.

Lox Me Tender from Jewish Daily Forward on Vimeo.

Share this article:
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

16 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
naro
naro
8 years ago

from tax cut to lox cut is a short distance

0
Reply
Zabars Shopper
Zabars Shopper
8 years ago

I’m not sure I understand how it’s significant that he’s the last Jewish slicer. Is the Republic toppling? Are the new (and probably 100% minority) slicers not as good? Are they not as capable of poetic feelings and pride in their work?

As a member of a minority group whose family spent a lot of money at Zabars this past holiday season, I’m uncomfortable with the unstated assumptions of this article. And yes, I’m well aware of Zabars’ history.

0
Reply
zeus
zeus
8 years ago
Reply to  Zabars Shopper

You have to develop a thicker skin my friend.
It’s Zabars after all.
It’s basically a Jewish Deli gone Mega.
No need to feel slighted, insulted or left out.
As the saying goes…
If you can’t stand the heat – get out of the kitchen.

Happy New Year one and all.

0
Reply
Thin Nova
Thin Nova
8 years ago
Reply to  Zabars Shopper

It’s significant because the nova at Zabar’s is traditionally a Jewish foodstuff. The same way it’s interesting that Absolute Bagel is run by Koreans, and Rigoletto used to serve amazing Italian-style pizza made by Mexicans. All done well, yet mildly surprising. There’s an extra note of authenticity that creates a subtle shift (psychological or otherwise) as the cuisine becomes less specific to its origins.

0
Reply
RK
RK
8 years ago
Reply to  Thin Nova

I think Rigoletto was run by Argentinians.

0
Reply
Richard
Richard
8 years ago
Reply to  Thin Nova

Absolute Bagels is run by Thai’s. Just saying, but then all Asian look alike right?
And their bagels are better than those made by my Jewish father when he owned a bagel store (sorry Dad, but it’s true).

0
Reply
Eric
Eric
8 years ago

As the son and grandson of die-hard Queens appetizing store owners, and having made more trips out to Connie Spizz at Rego Smoked fish than I care to remember, I never pass up the opportunity for a ‘teachable moment’ where lox is concerned.

What Len is seen slicing is (Zabar’s very delicious) Nova … cold smoked salmon with a delicate flavor.
Zabar’s sells so little (belly) Lox … pale brined salmon with a salty flavor … that the wise men behind the counter (Jewish or no) will protect you if you ask for Lox by replying “salty lox?” (After all, who wants the customer to be unhappy after they just spent $15/quarter lb.)

So don’t be a rube … ask for Nova if that’s what you like … and Belly Lox if you’re picking up for me.

Now if they would only get some sturgeon or chubbs in …

0
Reply
whatsupduck
whatsupduck
8 years ago
Reply to  Eric

Interesting. Will know next time I order lox…err…nova!

0
Reply
Siddhartha V.
Siddhartha V.
8 years ago

I’ve always preferred Murray’s to Zabar’s when it came to the fish

0
Reply
Sam
Sam
8 years ago
Reply to  Siddhartha V.

Agreed and they have no Jewish cutters there. Their cutters are like surgeons, removing any and all off colored pieces before weighing your fish.

Love Murrays!

0
Reply
Independent
Independent
8 years ago

He’s there every Thursday and Friday if you want to watch him “make love” to a salmon, and then you can take it home and eat it.

What a lovely image…

But I think I’ll take a pass. Thanks.

0
Reply
webot
webot
8 years ago

Great Video Len!

Keep on going!

and haters gonna hate hate hate.

just ignore.

0
Reply
Independent
Independent
8 years ago

I find the risqué theme gratuitous and distasteful, in addition to just plain witless. (Not that I’m above enjoying occasional risqué wit where it’s appropriate and is actually wit.)
I cannot be the only one.

I thought this was a family-friendly site.

0
Reply
Sam
Sam
8 years ago
Reply to  Independent

Yeah…. You are the only one. Lighten up!

0
Reply
zeus
zeus
8 years ago
Reply to  Independent

Grow up!!!

0
Reply
Nj
Nj
8 years ago

I agree with ” independent”
Not the only one who doesn’t like
distasteful spin on slicing lox. Will pass.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Check Out this Year’s Participatory Budgeting Choices; Voting March 25-April 2
NEWS

Check Out this Year’s Participatory Budgeting Choices; Voting March 25-April 2

March 24, 2023 | 1:48 PM - Updated on March 25, 2023 | 12:02 AM
PANEL VOTES TO (FINALLY) MAKE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE A LANDMARK
HISTORY

Cathedral of St. John the Divine to Host Service of Apology for Slavery on Saturday

March 24, 2023 | 8:06 AM
Previous Post

CITYMD MOVES INTO OLD AUTOMAT SPACE, RESTORES BRIGHT AND AIRY FEEL

Next Post

START 2015 OFF RIGHT WITH FREE CLASSES AT THE JCC (SPONSORED)

this week's events image

Explore Your Favorite Subject

20th precinct 24th precinct american museum of natural history animals art bicycling bulletin central park closings columns community board 7 coronavirus crash crime development dogs events fdny fire food gale brewer helen rosenthal history jcc lincoln center monday bulletin morning bulletin nypd openings pedestrian safety photography photos politics public schools pupper west side real estate restaurants retail riverside park silver stars fitness snow sponsored subway upper west side uws

CITY NEWS

Brick Underground
City Limits
Eater
Gothamist
NY Daily News
NY Post
NY Times

LOCAL RESOURCES

Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group
Central Park Conservancy
CB7
Community Education Council 3
Assembly District 67
The New York Historical Society
Riverside Park
West End Preservation

UWS Blogs

Bloomingdale History Central Park Blogger
North River Notes

Next Post
START 2015 OFF RIGHT WITH FREE CLASSES AT THE JCC (SPONSORED)

START 2015 OFF RIGHT WITH FREE CLASSES AT THE JCC (SPONSORED)

WINTER SUNSET OVER THE UPPER WEST SIDE

WINTER SUNSET OVER THE UPPER WEST SIDE

NEW 10-STORY CONDO PLANNED TO BE BUILT ON TOP OF CURRENT WEST END AVENUE BUILDING

NEW 10-STORY CONDO PLANNED TO BE BUILT ON TOP OF CURRENT WEST END AVENUE BUILDING

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.